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Seattle's waterfront ports and piers are busy destinations for cruise ships, tourists, ferry passengers and residents jogging along Alaskan Way. Cargo traffic also departs and arrives regularly from the Port of Seattle, which is the nation's sixth largest. More than 930,000 passengers departed from Seattle's piers on cruise ships heading to Alaska and other destinations. Visitors planning an extended stay near Seattle's waterfront have options ranging from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels.

Luxury Hotels

Named for its premier location overlooking Puget Sound, the Edgewater Hotel (edgewaterhotel.com) offers 223 luxury rooms and suites on the waterfront at Pier 67. Amenities at the Edgewater include concierge services, room service, 24-hour fitness center and valet parking. The Seattle Marriott Waterfront (marriott.com) has 345 rooms on eight floors with Puget Sound views and private balconies available. Located at Pier 66, the Marriott is adjacent to Bell Harbor Marina and Bell Street Pier, which features a rooftop plaza with expansive views.

Bed and Breakfasts and Inns

A half-mile to the east near Pike Place Market, the Pensione Nichols Bed and Breakfast (pensionenichols.com) has private suites and guest rooms with shared baths located in a historic building on First Avenue. Suites accommodate up to four guests and feature view balconies and kitchens. All rooms at Pensione Nichols include a continental breakfast each morning, and pets are welcome with an additional one-time fee. The Inn at the Market (innatthemarket.com) offers convenient proximity to Pike Place Market's shops and restaurants as well as the piers on the waterfront, two blocks to the west. Rooms and suites at the inn have floor-to-ceiling windows to capture Puget Sound views and access to a rooftop deck.

Hostels

Travelers on a tight budget may find a bunk at the Green Tortoise Hostel (greentortoise.net), an affordable alternative to luxury waterfront hotels. The Green Tortoise is located across from the Pike Place Market and two blocks east of the piers and waterfront. Bunk beds at the hostel have privacy drapes, reading lights and fans and access to one of 18 semi-private bathrooms. Private rooms are available upon request and meals are frequently prepared in the common kitchen for all guests to enjoy. The City Hostel Seattle (hostelseattle.com) is three blocks east of the waterfront and features shared dorm rooms for up to six guests as well as private double rooms.

Other Hotels

The eclectic 28-room Ace Hotel (acehotel.com/seattle) prides itself on offering affordable rates and an ideal location in Belltown for visitors to Seattle. Standard rooms have shared bathrooms, while deluxe rooms include private baths and partial water views. The 75-room Best Western Plus (pioneersquare.com) in Pioneer Square is located two blocks east of Pier 50 and the Seattle ferry terminal. Traveling families may prefer a deluxe room at the Best Western with game table and seating area, while couples may prefer a city-view suite or deluxe king bed room. A complimentary continental breakfast is served each morning; room service is available.

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About the Author

Michelle Hornaday lives in Edmonds, Washington and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Washington State University and a Master of Education from Northern Arizona University. She is currently a freelance writer for various websites.